Casket-clamp for hearses.



W. W. LINCOLN.' GASKET 'CLAMP FOR HEARSBS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1910.

Patented Mar. '7, 1911.

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WARD W. LINCOLN, OF ROCK FALLS, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CHAUNCEY R. HARDY, OF STERLING, ILLINOIS.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, WARD lV. LINCOLN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Roc; Falls, in the county of l/Vhiteside and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Casket-Clamps for Hearses, of which the following` is a specification.

Wy invention has reference to casket clamps for hearses, and relates more particularly to that class of such devices wherein the clamping post-s for holding the casketin place in the hearse are movably supported in converging slots in the table of the hearse, and provided with means for the simultaneous movement of such posts toward the casket, or away therefrom. As at present constructed the movement of such posts in the slots is attended with considerable friction, interfering to some extent with the ,free movement thereof, and the chief purpose of the present device is to overcome this difficulty.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and operation of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed, and illustrated in the drawings, in which Figure 1 is an inverted plan view of the table of a hearse, provided with my invention. Fig. 2 is an upper plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a side view thereof with the parts in the position as shown in Fig. 1.

Corresponding parts are indicated by like numerals of reference throughout the several figures.

1 represents the table of a hearse, adapted to receive a casket by means of the usual casters 2 in the upper face thereof, and a roller 3 at the rear end. Beneath the table 1 is supported a rotary shaft 4, by means of bearings 5, 6 and 7 secured to the lower face of the table. The shaft 4 is provided with reversely threaded portions or screws 8 and 9, and is projected rearwardly into a shaft 10, to which is secured a crank 11, for operating purposes.

Supported on the screw 8 is a traveling member comprising a cross-plate 12 providedv with a sleeve 13 fitted on the screw. Pivotally attached near the ends of the crossplate 12 is a pair of arc-shaped arms 14, connected with the free ends of which is a pair of posts 15, slidably suported in one pair of converging slots 16 in the table 1, and projecting upwardly above the face of such table,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 9, 1910.

Patented Mar. *7, 1911.

seriai No. 560,330.

so as to be capable of engaging the sides of the casket supported thereon. The screw 9 is provided with a similar traveling member, comprising a cross-plate 17, provided with a sleeve 18, fitted on such screw. Pivotally attached near the ends of the cross-plate 17 is a pair of arc-shaped arms 19, connected at their free ends with a pair of posts 20, slidably supported in another pair of converging slots 16, and similar in form and operation to lthe posts 15. As the shaft 4 is operated in one direction the sleeves 13 and 18 are caused to approach each other, resulting in the separation of the posts 15 and 20, while the operation of the shaft 4 in a contrary direction results in a movement of the traveling members away from each other, drawing the posts 15 and 2O toward each other.

rlhe cross-plate 12 is below the shaft 4, and is provided at its ends with upwardly turned lips 21, against which the outer edges of the arms 19 have a bearing, while the cross-plate 17 is above the shaft 4, and is provided at its ends with downwardly turned lips 22, against which the outer edges of the arms 14 have a bearing. The tendency of the lips 21 and 22 is to limit the outward movement of the free ends of the arms 19 and 14, respectively, and draw such arms nearer each other upon the separation of the plates 12 and 17. As said plates again approach each other the arms 14 and 19 are gradually permitted a wider spread by the several pairs of lips by which they are engaged.

In devices of this nature, wherein clamp-' ing posts are slidably supported in converging slots in the hearse table, and gradually drawn against the side of the casket, the natural result of the contact of the posts with the casket is to crowd or force such posts outwardly, and against the outer walls of the slots7 interfering with the further movement of the posts along the same. In my invention, by reason of the bearing of the arms 14 and 19 against the lips 22 and 21, the contact of the posts with the edges of the slots is relieved, insuring a freer movement thereof. On account of the faces of the lips 21 and 22 being in line with the line of movement of the arms which bear against them, there is less friction at t-he engaging points than would be caused by the movement of the posts against the walls of the slots. It will be seen that the lips 21 and 22 furnish a means of support for the arms 14 and 19 at points between the pivots and outer ends of such arms, thereby giving greater strength and more positive action to the structure, and rendering such arms less liable to become bent or broken in operation.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

In a hearse, the Combination7 with the table there-of7 having slots converging toward the center, of clamping posts slidably mounted in said slots; a rotary shaft, supported beneath said table, and provided with oppositely disposed threaded portion; a pair of cross-plates, having movement on the threaded portions of said shaft; are-shaped arms, connecting the ends of said plates with the clamping posts at the opposite end of the table therefrom; and lips on the ends of said cross-plates7 against which the arms attached to the opposite orosshplates have a bearing, whereby each pair of arms is gradually drawn together upon the separation of said cross-plates.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WARD W. LINCOL lWitnesses:

I/V. N. HASKELL, JOHN ROYER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

